top of page
Search

Storyteller Planet Survived Anime NYC 2026

Crystal Cabrae at AnimeNYC 2026 at her panel for The Essentials of Character Design.

The day was sunny with crowds packing the New York streets in anime costumes as far as the eye could see. I dashed through four blocks and two avenues from Port Authority to the registration booth (and lost Master Josh in the crowd). The guards were kind enough to show me the way through the Javits Center. With my digital map and my wits about me, I ran to Room A121!


With a five-minute delay and slides that were decidedly tweaked in terms of font, I was sitting in front of 250 people (standing room only apparently), ready to talk about character design. The result?


After a 30-minute presentation and handing out my worksheets to eager hands, I was given the privilege of an hour-long informal Q&A session with various types of storytellers. 


Here are some questions that were asked:


Question: How do you approach writing about a character's point of view (POV) that you have no experience with firsthand while keeping it authentic?

A: Research is key to authentic voice, especially if you are unfamiliar with the culture/trauma you want to write about. Ask people you know who may come from this background for perspective. Call a local organization on the culture/trauma to see if you can interview some people about their experience. The closer you are to the truth, the more authentic it will be.


Question: How do I make fantastical worlds believable, especially if they're science-based?

A: Do enough research on the basics of the topic and use your imagination from there. Unless you're trying to pull a Dr. Stone, only true nerds where you embellished on the truth.


Question: How do you get a character's motivation to stick through the whole story?

A: You have to be in tune with what your character wants from the moment we meet them. Your character should be the most determined to obtain whatever they want the most. Their motivation stems from how badly they want that desire. Usually the person standing in their way of that desire is considered "the bad guy" and will be opposing your main character.


Question: Do you do school tours/other live workshops?

A: I have yet to do a formal tour, but I am open to the opportunity. As far as workshops, I plan to do more digital sessions to reach a larger audience. If you are interested in more, then contact me directly through our form on-planet.


The Essentials of Character Design with Master Crystal- A Story Mode Shortcut on Storyteller Planet

Because some folk missed the presentation, I've decided to unlock the Storytelling Shortcut on-planet for the entire month of September, so don't fret if you couldn't attend. We hope to be back next year for Anime NYC's 10th Anniversary! Until then, continue to check in on-planet for the latest storytelling tips.


Comments

Content Note: Due to the elevated subject matter available "on-planet", we recommend that storytellers exploring our site be 13 years or older. Our teachings are not suitable for children. Minors are encouraged to bring their parents on-planet before committing to any plans. For content found on Fantasy Island, reader discretion and spice level checks are highly advised.

Copyright Notice: The characters and events portrayed on Storyteller Planet are fictitious and are protected under Storyteller Planet. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. No part of the information of Storyteller Planet (free or paid) may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher. These stories are the sole property of Crystal Cabrae and Storyteller Planet. All rights reserved. For licensing rights or collaborations, message us directly for all inquiries. Visit The MMG for more information.

bottom of page